MTV remakes The Inbetweeners, and you don't have to run away in terror, surprisingly
Here’s what’s up in the world of TV for Monday, August 20. All times are Eastern.
TOP PICK
The Inbetweeners (MTV, 10:30 p.m.): Usually, the idea of MTV remaking a subtle and smart British comedy about high schoolers would make us run for the hills—we’re still getting over Skins, thanks—but we were pleased to see that this new sitcom, while not as good as its source material, is still a solid little comedy about teenagers who don’t seem to fit in anywhere. It takes a little bit to get going, but once it settles in, it’s got plenty of nice moments for anyone who’s curious enough to stick it out. Yes, we know the trailers have been awful. But haven’t you learned your lesson about awful trailers by now? Margaret Eby sure hasn’t, though she’s pleased we’ve added this one to the coverage docket.
REGULAR COVERAGE
Adventure Time (Cartoon Network, 7:30 p.m.): Those of you who’ve been waiting for an awesome Princess Bubblegum and Rainicorn team-up episode can finally rest assured that the show has gotten around to depicting what happens when they go in search of Finn and Jake. Oliver Sava can hardly wait.
Alphas (Syfy, 8 p.m.): Without much notice, Syfy has shifted the timeslot for this enjoyable show, which bodes incredibly well for its future. Here’s hoping that this is just the network trying to get the series out of the path of Grimm or something, and not a sign that Todd VanDerWerff has canceled another show.
Bunheads (ABC Family, 9 p.m.): It’s season finale time, so it’s time to finally declare once and for all who is the best bunhead. Look, you all know how we felt about Ginny earlier in the season, but Sasha is where it’s at. And if you defy us, you’ll have to deal with the terrifying wrath of Erik Adams.
Grimm (NBC, 10 p.m.): Hey, guess what? The mother on a popular genre series who was supposed to be dead? She wasn’t really dead. Yeah, yeah, spoiler alert, but c’mon, guys. You’ve watched television before. You know this stuff already. Kevin McFarland is hoping this episode isn’t all exposition again.
Web Therapy (Showtime, 11 p.m.): Conan O’Brian appears on this week’s episode, which is entitled “Man-Cave Man,” which is either really clever or incredibly annoying. Brandon Nowalk suggests the following topics for your extracurricular discussions in comments: the death of honeybees, Kant, froyo.
TV CLUB CLASSIC
The West Wing (11 a.m.): In this week’s episode, “Guns Not Butter,” Steve Heisler finally gets the answer to that eternal imponderable: When will we get a chance in What’s On Tonight to talk about Chris Crawford’s immortal Guns And Butter, which we’ve never played because it intimidates us?
Justice League (1 p.m.): Meanwhile, “Hearts And Minds” gives us another famous phrase that links two nouns via the word “and,” which is really all this has in common with West Wing because it also features Kilowag. Can you imagine Aaron Sorkin writing for Kilowag? Oliver Sava has, and it’s positively delightful.
WHAT ELSE IS ON
What To Do When Someone Dies (Ovation, 8 p.m.): We can help you out, Ovation: First, you should call 911, just to make sure the proper medical personnel are on hand. Then, you should contact the funeral home to make the proper arrangements. Finally, you should allow yourself to begin the grieving process.
Remodeled (The CW, 9 p.m.): Summer burnoff theater continues, as The CW airs more episodes of this reality series that it very quickly ditched when it realized nobody wanted to watch some guy wander around and yell at people about how their small-time modeling agencies are no good. For some reason.
Sexiest Movie Scenes (TV Guide Network, 9 p.m.): It’s time for a countdown of the steamiest movie scenes in history. Somehow, we doubt that that once scene in Jurassic Park with the velociraptors is going to be on here. What? None of you find the idea of velociraptors sorta sexy? Well, you’re dumb!
R&B Divas (TV One, 10 p.m.): TV One takes five R&B singers from the ‘90s, then shows us their attempts to return to relevance. If you’ve been waiting for your Faith Evans fix, America, well, this show is going to give it to you. Somewhere, somebody with a Faith Evans Google news alert is very happy.
Win Win (Cinemax, 7:15 p.m.): What better way to start the week than with Paul Giamatti Day (now held every August 20)? First, enjoy his 2011 movie about a high school wrestling coach who takes in a troubled teenager, then finds that most things in his life start to turn around—until the kid’s mother comes along, that is.
Sideways (Sundance, 8 p.m.): If you get tired of that one after 45 minutes, just switch over to Alexander Payne’s tale of wandering around California wine country, getting good and sozzled, with Giamatti and Thomas Haydn Church. Church and Virginia Madsen were Oscar nominated for their efforts.
Monday Night Football: Exhibition: Eagles at Patriots (ESPN, 8 p.m.): It’s football time, America, and this match-up gives you a good chance to remember all of your positive memories (or negative ones, we guess) about the 2005 Super Bowl, which the Patriots won in boring fashion, as they always do.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Political Animals (Sunday): It seemed like a can’t-miss proposition: USA hooked up with creator Greg Berlanti and star Sigourney Weaver to tell a weird fantasy football version of the Hillary Clinton tenure as secretary of state. Instead, it mostly flopped. Molly Eichel will miss those crazy kids, however.